Project: Digital health competence through intergenerational co-creation in rural Kronoberg
The project aims at developing an intergenerational co-creation workshop series in Lessebo municipality to strengthen digital health literacy and reduce digital and social gaps among younger and older adults.
Information about the project
Project Coordinator
Chiara Lenza, Senior Lecturer, Department of Health and Caring Sciences
Other project members
Susanna Strandberg, Senior Lecturer, Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Nadeem Abbas, Senior Lecturer, Department of Computer Sciences, Sarfraz Iqbal, Senior Lecturer, Department of Informatics
Participating organisations
Linnaeus University, Lessebo Kommun
Financier
Region Kronoberg
Timetable
1 januari 2026 – 30 september 2026
Subject
eHealth, health informatics (Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences) computer science (Department of Computer Science and Media Technology, Faculty of Technology) and informatics (Department of Informatics, Faculty of Technology)
Research group
The ReAction group – Resilient healthcare and patient activation
Knowledge Environments
Linnaeus Knowledge Environment: Digital Transformations
Linnaeus Knowledge Environment: Sustainable Health
More about the project
Kronoberg’s regional development strategy identifies structural challenges like many Western societies: an aging population, increasing cultural diversity, and widening digital divides that particularly affect older adults, limiting their access to essential health information and public services.
While young people experience additional vulnerabilities, including social exclusion, physical and mental health concerns, and educational disparities. In rural municipalities such as Lessebo, these challenges are further exacerbated by geographic isolation and restricted educational opportunities that risk generating long‑term negative consequences for both individuals and society.
In response to Kronoberg’s regional priorities, the project focuses on intergenerational and co‑creative dialogue. The project will be implemented based on a series of 3-5 workshops in Lessebo municipality designed to strengthen lifelong learning, enhance elderly’s digital health literacy, and reduce both digital and social gaps among younger and older adults. The co-creative approach of the activities combines technical training with health‑promoting conversations, where younger adults contribute digital competencies and older adults share lived experiences related to health and wellbeing. Through their role as co‑educators, young participants gain digital skills, increased educational motivation, and improved employability. The mutual learning approach enhances intergenerational collaboration, promotes social sustainability, and supports local skills provision.
The project ultimately generates a scalable model for intergenerational learning in digital health, embedded in local collaboration. It will strengthen wellbeing, workforce capacity, and regional attractiveness while aligning with the Region Kronoberg’s vision of “a good life in a vibrant Kronoberg.”
The project is part of the research in The ReAction group - Resilient healthcare and patient activation, in Linnaeus Knowledge Environment: Sustainable Health and Linnaeus Knowledge Environment: Digital Transformations